The Great Reset by Richard Florida suggests that the most recent recession is more than economic stumble. It actually signifies a much more significant culture change across the developed (and developing world). Florida focuses primarily on North America and builds his case using a lot of economic arguments (which probably have significant counterarguments), but it’s his last chapter that I find most inspiring. Here’s a particularly great paragraph:
“A simple, undeniable first principle is that every single human being is creative. Each and every effort and policy initiative we under take can be measured by this simple yardstick: how do they increase the ability of people, organizations, places, and companies to mobilize human creative capabilities? … we all have something we’re good at, our own creative spark, and there’s little in life more satisfying and rewarding than the chance to exercise that talent.” (p. 182)
In my recent experiences with Innovation Boot Camp and at the Creative Problem Solving Institute conference I am convinced that the way forward for any organization is to make sure the people are plugged in and using their full creative capacity. Managers shouldn’t look to hire “creative types” when they see a gap on their team, instead they should actively work to increase the creativity quotient of their current staff.
